Multi Layer Athletic Short Having a Liner Connector

ABSTRACT

The short has an outer portion, and an inner liner connected to the outer portion at a waist area of the short. A connector is disposed at a location proximate to each leg hole of the short. The connector is connected to the inner liner at one end and connected to the outer portion at another end and this connector prevents or reduces ride up by the outer portion of the short.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The following invention relates generally to garments. More particularly, the invention relates to a short that prevents or reduces the tendency of ride up on the leg of a wearer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Clothing products such as running shorts and swim shorts have been provided with an outer layer in the shape of the short and an inner layer typically in the shape of a brief or optionally in the shape of a more form fitting short. This formfitting layer is sewn or attached to the outer layer at the waist band. In many cases, the brief layer is made of a mesh material that provides limited stretch properties, which may make the swimsuit version unsuitable for athletic endeavors.

These known shorts suffer from the issue that although the inner layer is attached to the outer layer, the shorts can still ride up the leg of the wearer, exposing the upper thigh of the wearer during activity. The problem of ride up is exacerbated in situations such as rough surf, wind or other conditions encountered during sports such as kite boarding or surfing. In other scenarios, the ride up may be caused by the movement of the user, for example, when playing volleyball.

Some shorts provide connection between inner and outer layers, however, the connection is often rather bulky or the connection covers a relatively large circumference of the leg holes. This can result in the shorts not falling correctly or bunching up in undesirable ways. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,789,270 provides a hook and loop fastener that extends along a relatively large part of the circumference of the leg holes, this hook and loop fastener prevents the shorts from falling in a natural way and may detract from the overall look of the shorts. Other fastener systems for shorts such as the ones disclosed in 2012/0117714 provide for a releasable attachment system using button and button hole attachment which may be uncomfortable or could come undone in some cases.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide a short that reduces or eliminates the tendency of ride up through use of a connection between the inner and outer layers without detracting from the look or appearance of the short.

It is another object of the invention to provide a short having increased comfort and support when used in athletic competition.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a short that both reduces ride up without detracting from mobility of the user.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a permanent attachment between inner liners and outer layers of shorts that prevents or reduces ride up.

These and other objects are achieved by providing a short with an outer portion, and an inner liner connected to the outer portion at a waist area of the short. A connector is disposed at a location proximate to each leg hole of the short. The connector is connected to the inner liner at one end and connected to the outer portion at another end.

The terms “first” and “second” are used to distinguish one element, set, data, object or thing from another, and are not used to designate relative position or arrangement in time.

In one aspect a short that prevents or reduces riding up is provided including an outer layer with a waist, the outer layer having a first length measured along an outseam of the outer layer. An inner liner is connected to the outer layer at the waist and extends from the waist along an outseam of the inner liner a second length less than the first length. A connector connects the outer layer to the liner layer and the connector has first and second ends and positioned between the waist and the leg portion of the outer layer, the first end of the connector is connected to an inner surface of the outer layer at the outseam of the outer layer at a first distance from the waist. The second end of the connector is connected to an outer surface of the inner liner. The connector is made of a stretchable material such that an extended length of at least part of the connector is at least 50% longer than a retracted length of at least part of the connector.

In some aspects a width of the connector is measured along the outseam of the outer layer and is less than half of the retracted length of the connector. The width may be at least 30% of the first length or preferably at least 50% of the first length.

In some aspects, the second end of the connector is positioned at a distance from the end of the leg portion of the inner liner that is less than an inseam of the inner liner.

The short may include an inseam connector having first and second ends, the first end of the inseam connector connected to the outer layer at an inseam thereof, the second end of the inseam connector connected to the liner layer. In some aspects a width of the inseam connector is measured along the inseam and is less than half of a retracted length of the inseam connector. In other aspects the width of the inseam connector is at least 30% of a length of the inseam. The width of the inseam connector may be at least 50% of an inseam length of the inner liner. In some aspects the first end of the inseam connector is located at a distance from a crotch portion along the inseam of the short that is less than an inseam length of the inner liner.

In some aspects the outer layer and inner liner are sewn together at the waist.

In other aspects a short that prevents or reduces riding up includes an outer layer having a waist and a first length measured along an outseam of the outer layer. An inner liner is sewn to said outer layer at the waist and extends from the waist a second length less than the first length. A connector connects the outer layer to the liner layer and has first and second ends and positioned between the waist and the leg portion of the outer layer, the first end of the connector connected to an inner surface of the outer layer at a first distance from the waist, the second end of the connector connected to an outer surface of the inner liner. The connector has a width measured along the outseam, the width being at least 30% of the first length and positioned such that the connector is spaced away from a leg hole of the outer layer at a distance at least as large as a difference between the first length and the second length.

In some aspects, the width may be at least 50% of the first length. The connector may taper from waist towards a leg hole of the liner such that a length of the connector at the waist is smaller than a length of the connector towards the leg hole when the connector is in a retracted position.

The connector may be positioned at a distance from the waist measured along the outseam that is at least 5% of the first distance but no more than 50% of the first distance.

In other aspects a short is provided that prevents or reduces riding up and includes an outer layer with a waist and having a first length and an outseam. An inner liner is sewn to the outer layer at the waist and extends a second length less than the first length. A connector connects the outer layer to the liner layer and has first and second ends and positioned between the waist and the leg portion of the outer layer. The first end of the connector is connected to an inner surface of the outer layer at a first distance from the waist that is at least 50% of the first length. The second end of the connector is connected to an outer surface of the inner liner and the connector is made of a stretchable material allowing the connector to extend and retract. The connector has a width measured along the outseam, the width being at less than 50% of a retracted length of the connector and positioned such that said connector is spaced away from a leg hole of said outer layer at a distance at least as large as a difference in outseam length between the outer layer and the inner liner.

In some aspects an extended length the connector is at least 50% longer than the retracted length of the connector. In other aspects, the short includes an inseam connector having first and second ends, the first end of the inseam connector connected to the outer layer at an inseam thereof, the second end of the inseam connector connected to the liner layer. In some aspects the inseam connector is made of a stretchable material and has a width measured along the inseam that is less than 50% of a retracted length of the inseam connector.

Other objects of the invention and its particular features and advantages will become more apparent from consideration of the following drawings and accompanying detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a short according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross section view of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a detail view of FIG. 2 showing a connector in the retracted state

FIG. 4 is a detail view of FIG. 2 showing a connector in the extended state.

FIG. 5 is a section view of the shorts of FIG. 1 with a larger connector in comparison to FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a detail view of FIG. 5 with the connector in the retracted state.

FIG. 7 is a detail view of FIG. 5 with the connector in the extended state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding structure throughout the views, the following examples are presented to further illustrate and explain the present invention and should not be taken as limiting in any regard.

Referring to FIG. 1, shorts 10 are shown with a liner. The outer layer of the short has a length 102 that is longer than the length of the line 100 as measures along the outseam 26. The outseam 26 joins front and back panels of the outer and/or inner layers.

As shown in FIG. 2, the cross section of the short 10 reveals the outer layer 2 and the inner liner layer 6 which are sewn together 24 at the waist area. A connector 4 is located close to the leg hole of the outer layer 2 and inner liner layer 6, more particularly, at a distance 101 from the waist 22 or distance 104 from the leg hole of the outer layer 2. Distance 101 is shown as slightly smaller than distance 100, but it is understood that distance 101 may be 50% of more of distance 100, depending on the desired configuration. Distance 104 shows the position of the connector 4 relative to the leg hole of the outer layer 2. Distance 104 may be 5% or greater of distance 102 or more preferably at least 20% of distance 102.

The inner liner layer 6 may include a rubberized coating or stitching to provide increased friction against the leg of the user, which in turn may aid in keeping the liner in place since the inner liner layer is form fitting and made of a stretchable fabric such as spandex. Since the outer layer 2 is loose fitting, the connector 4 reduces or prevents the outer layer 2 from riding up the leg of the user and exposing the inner liner layer. An inseam connector is shown positioned at the opposite side of the leg and along the inseam of the outer and inner layers.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the connector is shown as made of a stretchable fabric or elastic material. The connector 4 is sewn into the outseam 26 of the outer 2 and inner 6 layers. The outer surface of the outer layer and the inner surface of the inner layer are the surfaces primarily used in the short. That is, the outer surface of the outer layer provides visual appeal and the inner surface of the inner layer contacts the body of the wearer. Therefore, the inner surface of the outer layer and the outer surface of the inner layer face each other and due to the outseams, includes extra fabric that the connector 4 can be sewn to. This may be directly in the stitching of the outseam or this may be in a separate stitch pattern sewn into the small amount of excess fabric (or directly into the outseam).

The connector 4 has a width 103 that is measured along the outseam 26 and is positioned at a distance 105 from the leg hole of the inner layer. End 12 is connected to the inner layer and end 14 is connected to the outer layer. As can be seen in FIG. 4, the connector 4 extends 16. The amount of extension of the connector can vary based on the desired application. For example, the connector may extend to be at least 25% larger than the retracted length (shown in FIG. 3). The connector may also extend to be two times as large as the retracted length (or more). In some preferred embodiments the extended length is less than three times as large as the retracted length. The ability for the connector to extend and retract allows for the configuration of the shorts to reduce or prevent ride up while not detracting from the look of the shorts and the ability of the wearer to move freely.

FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the connector (and inseam connector) that is wider 106 than it is long (distance between inner and outer layers). The width 106 of the connector is at least 20% of the distance 108 between the waist and leg hole of the outer layer. In the embodiment shown, the width 106 is greater than 50% of distance 108. Width 106 may be less than 80% of distance 108. The inseam connector may have similar dimensional properties but measured relative to distance 114 which is the inseam of the outer layer.

As can be seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, the connector is made of a stretchable or elastic material and end 18 connects to the outer layer and end 20 connects to the inner layer. The bottom end of the connector extends between retracted 116 and extended 118 lengths. The top end may also extend, but due to the user's movements being greater closer to the leg hole, the extension at the top end may not be as large. The connector may extend to be at least 25% larger than the retracted length (shown in FIG. 6). The connector may also extend to be two times as large as the retracted length (or more).

Although the connector has been shown in the primary embodiments as being made of an elastic material, the connector could also be made of a material that is designed to stretch or extend, or to extend less than 10%.

Although the invention has been described with reference to a particular arrangement of parts, features and the like, these are not intended to exhaust all possible arrangements or features, and indeed many other modifications and variations will be ascertainable to those of skill in the art. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A short that prevents or reduces riding up comprising: an outer layer including a waist and having a first length measured along an outseam of said outer layer; an inner liner connected to said outer layer at the waist and extending from the waist along an outseam of said inner liner a second length less than the first length; a connector connecting said outer layer to said liner layer having first and second ends and positioned between the waist and the leg portion of said outer layer, the first end of the connector connected to an inner surface of said outer layer at the outseam of the outer layer at a first distance from the waist, the second end of the connector connected to an outer surface of said inner liner; said connector is made of a stretchable material such that an extended length of at least part of said connector is at least 50% longer than a retracted length of at least part of said connector.
 2. The short of claim 1 further comprising: a width of said connector measured along the outseam of the outer layer, said width being less than half of the retracted length of said connector.
 3. The short of claim 1 further comprising: a width of said connector measured along the outseam of the outer layer, said width is at least 30% of the first length.
 4. The short of claim 1 wherein the width of said connector measured along the outseam of the outer layer is at least 50% of the first length.
 5. The short of claim 1 wherein the second end is positioned at a distance from the end of the leg portion of said inner liner that is less than an inseam of said inner liner.
 6. The short of claim 1 further comprising an inseam connector having first and second ends, the first end of the inseam connector connected to said outer layer at an inseam thereof, the second end of the inseam connector connected to said liner layer.
 7. The short of claim 6 further comprising: a width of said inseam connector measured along the inseam, said width of said inseam connector being less than half of a retracted length of said inseam connector.
 8. The short of claim 6 further comprising: a width of said inseam connector measured along the inseam, said width of said inseam connector is at least 30% of a length of the inseam.
 9. The short of claim 6 wherein said width of said inseam connector is at least 50% of an inseam length of said inner liner.
 10. The short of claim 6 wherein the first end of the inseam connector is located at a distance from a crotch portion along the inseam of the short that is less than an inseam length of said inner liner.
 11. The short of claim 1 wherein the outer layer and inner liner are sewn together at the waist.
 12. A short that prevents or reduces riding up comprising: an outer layer including a waist and having a first length measured along an outseam of said outer layer; an inner liner sewn to said outer layer at the waist and extending from the waist a second length less than the first length; a connector connecting said outer layer to said liner layer having first and second ends and positioned between the waist and the leg portion of said outer layer, the first end of the connector connected to an inner surface of said outer layer at a first distance from the waist, the second end of the connector connected to an outer surface of said inner liner; said connector having a width measured along the outseam, the width being at least 30% of the first length and positioned such that said connector is spaced away from a leg hole of said outer layer at a distance at least as large as a difference between the first length and the second length.
 13. The short of claim 11 wherein the width is at least 50% of the first length.
 14. The short of claim 11 wherein the connector tapers from waist towards a leg hole of said liner such that a length of the connector at the waist is smaller than a length of the connector towards the leg hole when the connector is in a retracted position.
 15. The short of claim 12 wherein the connector tapers from waist towards a leg hole of said liner such that a length of the connector at the waist is smaller than a length of the connector towards the leg hole when the connector is in a retracted position.
 16. The short of claim 11 wherein said connector is positioned at a distance from the waist measured along the outseam that is at least 5% of the first distance but no more than 50% of the first distance.
 17. A short that prevents or reduces riding up comprising: an outer layer including a waist and having a first length and an outseam; an inner liner sewn to said outer layer at the waist and extending a second length less than the first length; a connector connecting said outer layer to said liner layer having first and second ends and positioned between the waist and the leg portion of said outer layer, the first end of the connector connected to an inner surface of said outer layer at a first distance from the waist that is at least 50% of the first length, the second end of the connector connected to an outer surface of said inner liner, wherein said connector is made of a stretchable material allowing the connector to extend and retract; said connector having a width measured along the outseam, the width being at less than 50% of a retracted length of said connector and positioned such that said connector is spaced away from a leg hole of said outer layer at a distance at least as large as a difference in outseam length between said outer layer and said inner liner.
 18. The short of claim 17 wherein an extended length said connector is at least 50% longer than the retracted length of said connector.
 19. The short of claim 17 further comprising an inseam connector having first and second ends, the first end of the inseam connector connected to said outer layer at an inseam thereof, the second end of the inseam connector connected to said liner layer.
 20. The short of claim 19 wherein said inseam connector is made of a stretchable material and has a width measured along the inseam that is less than 50% of a retracted length of said inseam connector. 